Anthem Commits to Colorado for 2018

DENVER, Aug. 16 -- The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies issued the following news release:

The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), is pleased to announce that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado has committed to Colorado's individual insurance market for 2018. This means that Anthem will continue to offer individual plans statewide in all counties next year, and that the state's 14 counties with on-exchange offerings only from Anthem will not lose those options.

"The fact that we didn't lose any on-exchange carriers for the coming year speaks to our efforts," said Insurance Commissioner Marguerite Salazar. "In this sea of turmoil stirred up by the federal government, Colorado has created an island of certainty. Our willingness to keep the lines of communication open and work with carriers like Anthem, Cigna and Kaiser highlights the fact that Colorado is a good place for these companies to operate. We are especially pleased that Anthem will continue to serve residents in the 14 counties that would have had no other options. All of the carriers in the individual market have helped us to secure a stable market for 2018."

"However, while many breathe a sigh of relief, I recognize that the coming year will remain challenging for others in Colorado, with premiums increasing, healthcare costs rising, and uncertainty continuing around the Cost Sharing Reduction payments," she said.

"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud of our 75-year history of providing health benefits to individuals and their families across the state," said Mike Ramseier, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. "That commitment will continue in 2018 statewide. Still, the individual market in Colorado remains volatile. We appreciate the open communication we've had with the Division of Insurance regarding steps that can be taken to stabilize the individual market. As this market continues to evolve, we stand ready to work with the DOI and state leaders on long-term solutions that will improve the health care system for all Coloradans."

For 2018, the insurance companies offering individual plans through Connect for Health Colorado (on-exchange) will be the following.

* Anthem (HMO Colorado)

* Bright Health Insurance

* Cigna Health and Life Insurance

* Colorado Choice Health Plans

* Denver Health Medical Plan

* Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado

* Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization

The Division is still reviewing the plan and premium filings from the health insurance companies that were submitted in June and made available for public view in July, both for the individual market and the small group market (for small employers). The final approved plans and premiums, along with analysis regarding what plans are available where and average increases / decreases, will be released sometime from mid-September to mid-October. These filings are available to view on the Division's "Health Insurance Filings" web page, however, please note that the public comment period closed on Aug. 4.

Open enrollment for people who buy individual plans (rather than getting coverage through an employer) will open Nov. 1, 2017 and run until Jan. 12, 2018. People buying individual plans can buy them through Colorado's exchange, Connect for Health Colorado, or off-exchange (often directly from an insurance company). However, tax credits to help offset the cost of premiums are only available when purchasing from Connect for Health Colorado.